Artwork
Great Horned Owl
Great Horned Owl is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Robert Havell Jr.. It dates from 1829 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1829, *Great Horned Owl* is a hand‑colored print that combines engraving with aquatint on a sheet of Whatman wove paper. The image presents a solitary owl perched on a stark branch, its plumage rendered in muted browns and whites, while the large eyes are highlighted in yellow. The composition is uncluttered, allowing the bird to dominate the visual field.
Subject & Meaning
The work depicts a great horned owl, a species noted for its prominent ear‑tufts that resemble horns. The bird is shown in a natural pose, emphasizing its keen gaze and textured feathers, which convey both the creature’s predatory vigilance and its place within the broader study of wildlife.
Technique & Style
Robert Havell Jr. employed a dual process: a fine line engraving to outline form and texture, followed by aquatint to produce tonal washes. After printing, the image was hand‑colored, a common practice for natural‑history illustration before photography. The delicate line work mimics the stitching of feathers, while the aquatint provides subtle gradations of light and shadow.
History & Provenance
Havell belonged to a distinguished family of English engravers based in Reading, Berkshire, including his father, Robert Havell the Elder, and his uncle, Luke Havell. The Havell workshop was renowned for its expertise in aquatint, and the print reflects the family’s involvement in publishing scientific and artistic works during the early nineteenth century.
Context
During the 1820s, hand‑colored engravings and aquatints were the primary means of illustrating natural history texts. Such prints served both educational and aesthetic purposes, providing detailed visual records of species for scholars and collectors alike. *Great Horned Owl* exemplifies this intersection of scientific documentation and artistic craftsmanship.
Artist & collection
Artist
The Havell family of Reading, Berkshire, England, included a number of notable engravers, etchers and painters, as well as writers, publishers, educators, and musicians.
